These no-bake brownie protein balls are the perfect, wholesome snack for anyone wanting something chocolatey, filling, and made with real ingredients. I love adding them into my kids' lunches or grabbing for a post-workout snack. Grain-free, dairy-free and , naturally sweetened. Easy to make and ready in 20 minutes.
For more healthy protein snacks, try my no-bake chocolate protein bars and no-bake protein granola bars.
Recipe Highlights
- Contains fiber and protein. Each ball has 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, helping to keep you full and satiated.
- Made with nutrient dense ingredients. I use cacao powder and ground flaxseeds to increases vitamins and minerals in these real-food bites!
- Grain free. You won't find any oats, or grains here. Looking for more grain-free bliss/energy balls? Try my carrot cake energy balls next.
- No added sugars. These are sweetened with just dates with no added sugars (even the natural kind).
- No-bake and ready in 20 minutes.
- Family friendly. These protein brownie balls and loved by adults and kids.
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Some would say I have a problem with wanting to make everything from scratch. And while time and real life prevent me from making everything I can from scratch, it's a win when I create a recipe that is easy to make, wholesome and loved by the whole family! And these brownie protein balls are it!
I love adding these to my kids' lunches or having them ready for an afterschool snack (in addition to any of my clean eating snack recipes). Sean is also known to consume a few of these after dinner 🙂
As much as I love these, if we've really craving brownies, I'll be making my oat flour brownie recipe and maybe my chocolate baked oats. You just can't go wrong with healthier recipes centered around brownies!
Ingredient Notes
- Pitted dates - I recommend Medjool dates over Deglet Noor, as they are softer and have a sweeter caramel-like flavor. Make sure you use pitted dates.
- Cacao powder - For the health benefits (like antioxidants and magnesium), I recommend cacao powder over cocoa powder. That said, both will work fine in this recipe.
- Almond butter - Use drippy almond butter.
- Almond flour - Be sure to use almond flour and not almond meal.
- Chocolate protein powder - My recommendation is to use a protein powder with simple, wholesome ingredients. Avoid added sugars (or minimal added sugar), fake sugars and a laundry list of ingredients. I really like Just Ingredients.
A complete list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below. The above are some specific notes to help with selecting ingredients.
Substitutions
- To make nut-free - Swap the almond butter for sunflower seed butter and use oat flour instead of almond flour.
- To make without protein powder - These won't be quite as high in protein, but if you don't want to use use protein powder, use an additional ¼ cup cacao and ¼ cup ground flaxseeds (note that if mixture is too dry with these swaps, add an additional tablespoon, or two, of almond butter).
How to Make Brownie Protein Balls
- Add all ingredients to a food processor.
- Process on high for about 30 seconds, or until a sticky "dough" has formed. Mixture should stick when pressed together.
- Scoop out 2 tablespoons of lightly packed mix for each ball.
- Roll mix into balls until all of the mix has been used. You should get 16 balls.
- Optional add-on: Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with fine sea salt.
Using Whey Protein vs. Plant Based Protein
I have tested this recipe successfully using both a plant-based protein (specifically Truvani chocolate protein) and a whey-based protein (specifically Just Ingredients chocolate protein).
That said, protein powders can behave different pending their ingredients, so you may need to adjust some of the other ingredients.
If using a plant-based protein, you may find that your mixture is too dry. If this is the case, add an additional tablespoon or two of almond butter, until the mixture is sticky enough to roll into balls.
If using a whey protein, you may find your mixture is too wet/too sticky. If this is the case, add additional almond flour or ground flaxseeds.
Sara's Tips and Notes
- Use soft Medjool dates for the best texture. If your dates are dry, soak in hot water to soften them.
- If your mixture doesn't stick or feels too dry, add additional almond butter or even 1-2 more dates to add more fat and/or stickiness.
- If you'd like, you can start with a small amount of protein powder to limit the taste of the protein powder... this might help make them more kid friendly, too. Or, try my chocolate coconut peanut butter balls for a protein powder-free protein ball.
- Use a spring-loaded cookie scoop to scoop the mixture.
- Optional, but I highly recommend you drizzle with chocolate and sprinkle with course sea salt. Who doesn't love a salty/sweet snack (okay, maybe my kids, but let's get real - chocolate and salt are the perfect pair!).
How to Store Brownie Protein Balls
These protein brownie balls are the ultimate, healthy make-ahead snack, so go on a double the batch while you'e at it!
Fridge: Leftover brownie bites should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge and will stay fresh for up to one week.
Freezer: Place balls on a parchment lined baking sheet and freezer for 1-2 hours. Than, transfer to a freezer safe bag (Stasher bags are my favorite) and squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. They will stay good in the freezer for 3 months.
These can be enjoyed straight from the freezer, or allow to thaw for about 10 minutes at room temperature (my no-bake peanut butter oat bars are also a healthy, freezer friendly snack).
Recipe FAQs
Protein powders absorb moisture differently, which could be the cause of a dry mix. If your mixture doesn't hold it's shape when pinched, add 1-2 additional tablespoons of almond butter until the mixture holds together when pressed.
When made with simple, real-food ingredients, protein brownie balls can be a wholesome snack. They combine protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you satisfied between meals.
More Real Food Protein Recipes to Try!
If you make this recipe, please let me know what you think! I would so appreciate you leaving a star rating and/or comment below. And don't forget to share a photo on Instagram or Facebook and mention @CleanPlateMama!
Eat Clean.Be Well!
-Sara
Protein Brownie Bites
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Equipment
- 1 food processor
Ingredients
- 12 soft, pitted Medjool dates
- ¼ cup drippy almond butter
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup chocolate protein powder
- ¼ cup flaxseed meal (also called ground flaxseeds)
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- ¼ tsp. fine sea salt
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (dairy-free if needed)
- ½ tsp. coconut oil
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor.
- Blend on high for about 30 seconds, or until ingredients are finely ground and mixture sticks together when pressed between your fingers.
- Using roughly 2 tablespoons of the mixture, scoop and roll into balls. You should get 16 balls.
- If drizzling with chocolate, melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl in increments of 30-45 seconds, until fully melted. Drizzle over each ball and sprinkle with coarse sea salt, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If your dates have pits, remove the pits before adding to the food processor.
- If mixture is too dry, add an additional tablespoon, or two, of almond butter.
- If drizzling with chocolate, place balls in the freezer for 15 minutes first to firm up.
Nutrition
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Jennifer says
So easy to make and my kids love them!
Sara says
My girls love them too! Thanks for sharing!
Sara says
Tastes like a brownie but with real food ingredients. Perfect for an afternoon, or post-workout snack!